Internet Book of Shadows, (Various Authors), [1999], at sacred-texts.com

Copyright (c) 1988 by Phil Hansford. This article is
is licenced for free non-commercial distribution only.
----------------------------------------------------------
** MAGICK 8 -- HEALING AND BANISHING **
Psychic or spiritual healingis a human potentialwe all
possess. Some people are especially good at this. It is probably
easier to heal someone else by occult means than yourself. In addition
to healing in the presence of the person, there is 'absent healing' in
which the healing
occurs at a distance. Note that there are some who maintain that
influence on another person without his specific knowledge and permis-
sion (yes, even in healing and helping) is black magick. (After all,
everybody is living according to his own true will, so that healing or
helping someone without permission is affecting his will). This means
it is important to tell the person what you are planning to do and to
ask his permission. The theory of psychic healing is that sickness is
characterized (although not necessarily caused) by a deficiency and
imbalance of vital energy. Psychic healing transfers energy from the
healer to the sick to repair and rebalance his energies. If an inept
healer overdoes the process, or if he doesn't take the precaution to
'disconnect' himself afterwards, he may find himself
1348
becoming sick due to energy drain and a linkage to his subject.
Similarly, the healer should always be in a good state of health or he
could unintentionally transfer his illness to the subject.
1349
Thebasicmethods ofpsychichealingare: 1)creativevisual-
ization, 2) prayer, 3) ritual. Creative visualization is one of the
easiest techniques. Mild illness may yield to only one or two treat-
ments; serious ills will require many treatments over time. Psychic
healing should always be combined with medical care and treatment. It
does not replace
doctors, medicine, or hospitals, since different levels (worlds) are
involved. In creative visualization, we visualize the person being
well. It may be helpful to utilize the appropriate color from the aura
chart (such as bright apple-green, rose pink, or white) sent as a beam
to the person or as a cloud surrounding him. This technique can be
extended to include a simple kind of yoga in which we feel energy sent
as we exhale explosively; the energy sent either via the breath or
from one of the chakras such as the solar plexus. Sometimes in absent
healing it is helpful to arrange a time for treatment in advance,
asking your subject to be in a receptive state of mind and to sit back
and close his eyes.
THE BANISHING RITUAL
Oneofthemost basicanduseful ceremonialritualsof magick
is called the *banishing ritual*, or lesser ritual of the pentagram. A
pentagram (or pentacle) is a five-pointed star with the point up. The
1350
banishing ritual is helpful in psychic protection and healing since it
forms a protective barrier against malevolent forces. The psychic
barrier it creates can be made to permit entry of desired (const-
ructive) forces and the exclusion of negative ones. Thus, the banish-
ing ritual is an essential first step in almost any formal full magick
ceremony. The ritual requires that you use a magical implement or
"weapon", such as a
ceremonial knife, wand, or simply point your index finger, to "draw"
the pentagram in the air at each of the cardinal points (four direc-
tions). Also, you will be chanting ('vibrating') some Hebrew names of
God.
1351
Holdingyour magicalweaponand facingeast,extend yourarm
out straight in front of you. In this ritual you will use the full
sweep of your arm to draw the pentagram in the air. Follow the desc-
ription below by beginning at the lower left and sweeping your magical
weapon up toward the
right, etc. as shown. Do not bend your arm at the wrist or elbow.
While you do this, visualize the lines and eventually the star as
vibrant white, floating in the space before you. You are projecting
energy to do this, and the result will be a gleaming 5-pointed star
floating in the east; visualize this as vividly as you can. Now you
will energize it further
by piercing the center of it with your magical weapon and vibrating
(speaking slowly in a slightly lower than normal pitch, remember)
"Yod-He-Vau-He".
=============================================
-- DESCRIPTION --
Approximate points on a round clock face --
1. Begin at 7:30 position.
2. Point to 12 oclock position.
3. Point to 4:30 position.
4. Point to 10:30 position.
5. Point to 2:30 position.
1352
6. Return to 7:30 position.]
=============================================
Thenturn slowlytothe nextcardinal pointinsequence, and
as you do so, with your arm still extended in front of you, visualize
a white line connecting around to the cardinal point. Trace a similar
pentagram with the appropriate words and following the same procedure:
South -- Adonai Tzaboath
West -- Eh-Ei-He
North -- Agla.
Now complete the white line drawn back to the center of the eastern
pentagram. Note that the cardinal points must be followed in a clock-
wise order, and the pentagram must be drawn in the manner illustrated;
to do otherwise would change the function of the ritual. The result of
all this should be a large bright white pentagram visualized hanging
in mid-air
at each of the four directions, all tied together by a bright white
line. You could now, for example, visualize the pentagrams moving out
to the circumference of your home, thereby protecting all within.
Thereisalsoa somewhatsimplifiedversion ofthisritual in
which the pentagram is traced only once overhead and then is energized
with one of the four names, such as "Eh-Ei-He". Oftentimes the simpli-
1353
fied version is sufficient, but naturally the effect of the full
version is more
complete.
One ofthe primaryusesof thisritual istoward offpsychic
attack -- that is, when another is (consciously or unconsciously)
attempting to harm you, cause sickness, accidents, bad dreams, emo-
tional upset, or to force you to do something against your will.
Fortunately this doesn't happen very often. The world of the magician
is fairly safe for the pure of heart. Psychic attack usually depends
upon vulnerabilities. If you are not vulnerable you are safe. Thus
unificaition with the true will is the greatest protection possible.
And the use of the banishing ritual is never hurtful. You can even use
it to hold off negative aspects of
yourself.
Otherformsofprotection sometimeshelpful(depending upon
one's model) are recitation of the 'Lord's Prayer', the 23rd, and 91st
Psalms.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1) What is a pentagram?
2) What is psychic healing? List the basic methods.
3) What is the banishing ritual? Why is it used?
1354
BOOK LIST
Dion Fortune, Psychic Self-Defense.
________, Sane Occultism.
Adeliade Gardner, Vital Magnetic Healing.
Max Heindel, The Vital Body.
Ernest Holms, The Science of Mind.
Mouni Sadhu, Theurgy.
========
Phil Hansford, 4/88
Mysteria
(818) 353-8891 (modem)
P.O. Box 83
Tujunga, CA 91042
1355
Copyright (c) 1988 by Phil Hansford. This article is
is licenced for free non-commercial distribution only.
----------------------------------------------------------
** MAGICK 9 -- ASTRAL PROJECTION **
Astral projection (OOBE,out of thebody experience) isa
popular area of occult literature; for traveling to see other worlds
and places while the physical body sleeps or is entranced is an
exciting notion. Astral projection is not dangerous. It is as safe as
sleeping. Most dreams are probably unconscious astral projections,
anyway. Although there has
been quite a bit written on the subject, astral projection is dif-
ficult for many people. The main difficulty is the tendency to forget
dream consciousness upon awakening. Accordingly, the successful
practice of astral projection requires work.
Modernpsychologydiscounts theideaofactual OOBE(thatthe
spirit temporarily vacates the physical body). However, the idea is
very ancient. The Tibetans have an entire system of yoga (dream yoga)
based upon astral projection. And here we have an important assump-
tion: you are involved in an OOBE (at least to a degree) whenever you
dream. What sets it apart from a full OOBE is your hazy consciousness
1356
during the experience and poor recall afterwards. Many people forget
most of their dreams completely. Learning astral projection requires a
kind of inner mental clarity and alertness.
Dreamsare adoor to thesubconscious whichcan beused for
psychological and spiritual insight, and sometimes for precognition.
Dream content is influenced by external sounds and sensations. For
example, a loud external noise (such as a train) will likely appear in
your dream (if it doesn't wake you up!). Dreams are also influenced by
events of the previous day, by your moods, and by suggestion. Every-
one normally dreams 4 or 5 times a night (about every 2 hours). The
longest dreams occur in the morning. Everyone dreams. You are more
likely to remember the details of your dream when you first wake up.
By keeping a dream diary you will improve dream recall. Have writing
equipment or a tape recorder at your bedside for this purpose; also a
light which isn't too bright. Suggest to yourself several times before
you go to sleep, "I will awaken with the knowledge of a dream." Then
when you do awaken, move quietly (sometimes
just turning over drives the idea away). Remember first, then write
the dream down, and then add as many details as possible. The next day
check for objective facts and expand if you can (by remembering 'what
happened before that'). Once you start remembering your dreams in this
way, it will become easier to do so. (If you are unsuccessful at this,
and *really* want to remember your dreams, you could arrange for
1357
someone to sit by your bedside all night long with a dim light on.
Then when he sees your eyes moving back and forth -- rapid eye move-
ments, a sign you are dreaming -- he can wake you and ask for a dream
report.)
FORMS OF ASTRAL PROJECTION
Astralprojection maybesubdivided intothree basictypes:
mental projection, astral projection (proper) and etheric projection.
And your OOBE may shift between them. Mental projection is really
simple clairvoyance ('remote viewing'), and 'traveling in your mind'.
Imagination plays a key role. The experience of mental projection is
not particularly vivid, and you will more likely be an observer than a
participant. Nevertheless, mental projection is an important 'way in'
to astral projection proper.
Duringmentalprojectionandastralprojection youareableto
travel through solid objects, but are not able to act directly upon
them or to move them (if they are in the physical world). This is not
true during etheric projection. Whether it is simply subconscious
expectation, or whether it is a true etheric projection which in
theory means that part of your physical body has been relocated with
your projection (the etheric or vital part) may be difficult to
determine. Etheric projections generally travel at or very near the
1358
physical world. There are even cases reported (very, very rare ones)
in which the entire physical body is transferred to another location
(teleportation), or cases in which the physical body exists and acts
in two separate places at once (bilocation)!
But ourprimary interestis astral projectionproper, and
mental projection to a lesser extent. Astral and mental projection are
not confined to the physical world. Travel in the mental and astral
realms is feasible, and often preferred. Nor are astral and mental
projection restricted to the realm of the earth (you could even go to
the moon and planets).
1359
STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS
The electricalactivity ofthe brainhas beenobserved and
classified with EEG (electroencephalograph) equipment; signals picked
up from the scalp by electrodes, then filtered and amplified, drive a
graph recorder. Brain activity has been found to produce specific
ranges for
certain basic states of consciousness, as indicated in 'hz' (hertz, or
cycles/vibrations per second):
delta -- 0.2 to 3.5 hz (deep sleep, trance state),
theta -- 3.5 to 7.5 hz (day dreaming, memory),
alpha-- 7.5to 13 hz(tranquility, heightenedawareness,
meditation),
beta -- 13 to 28 hz (tension, 'normal' consciousness).
As you can see, some form of physical relaxation is implied in the
alpha, theta, and delta consciousness. These states are in fact
reached through deep breathing, hypnosis, and other relaxation tech-
niques. OOBE occurs during these states, and delta is probably the
most important for it.
The problem is really, as we have said, one of maintaining mental
awareness and alertness while experienceing these altered states.
Experimental subjects hooked to an EEG do not show a discrete change
from drowsy to sleep; it is very gradual.
1360
Atthe thresholdbetweensleep andwakingconsciousness isa
drowsy condition known as the hypnogogic state. OOBE seems to occur
during this state, or a variant of it. By careful control of the
hypnogogic state (not going beyond it) it is possible to enter OOBE
directly.
BASIC TECHNIQUES
Mostmethodsofastralprojectionaremethodsofconditioning.
Some form of trance or altered consciousness is always involved. No
one ever projects consciously while fully awake (some may think that
they do). Although there are many techniques used to produce an astral
projection,
they boil down to ten of them. They all sort of overlap.
1361
1) Diet-- Certain dietarypractices mayaid in OOBE,esp-
ecially at first. These include fasting, vegitarianism, and in general
the eating of 'light' foods as discussed in a a previous lesson.
Carrots and raw eggs are thought to be especially beneficial, but all
nuts are to be avoided. Over-eating should be avoided. And no food
should be eaten just before an OOBE attempt. If you intend to practice
during sleep, for example, allow 2 to 4 hours of no food or drink
(except water) before bedtime. In general, we see here the same kind
of dietary restrictions advocated for kundalini yoga.
2) Progressivemuscularrelaxation--This isoneofthebasic
methods used in hypnosis and self-hypnosis. Physical relaxation can
assist one in attaining the requisite trance state. These techniques
involve beginning at the toes and tensing, then relaxing the muscles,
progressively up the entire body.
3)Yogaand breath-- Yoga,mantra, andbreathing exercises
similarly aim at physical relaxation. The practice of kundalini yoga
is particularly relevant, since it is concerned with altered con-
sciousness. In fact the arousal of kundalini requires a similar state
of consciousness to
OOBE.
1362
4)Visualization --This involvesa typeof extendedclair-
voyance or picturing of remote surroundings. If you can experience the
feeling of being there, so much the better. Although this technique
is essentially mental projection, it is possible to deepen mental
projection into astral
projection through (you guessed it!) visualization. Crowley taught a
similar technique: a) visualize a closed door on a blank wall, b)
imagine a meditation symbol on the door, c) visualize the door opening
and yourself
entering through it. And J.H. Brennan describes similar techniques
wherein the door is shaped and colored like a tattva, or alternately,
a chosen tarrot card is visualized and the student visualizes entering
into it.
5) Guided imagery -- Inmany respects similar tovisual-
ization. Except in this case, there is a guide (or perhaps a voice on
tape) directing you by means of descriptions. As with visualization,
mental rather than astral projection is most likely.
1363
6)Body ofLight --The oldGolden Dawntechnique. Imaginea
duplicate (mirror image) of yourself in front of you. Then transfer
your consciousness and sensation to the duplicate ('body of light').
7) Strongwilling -- Sort oflike creative visualization
experienced in the present. That is you express your strong desire to
project through your willpower while you visualize yourself doing it.
8) The Monroetechniques -- These are a series of steps
developed by Robert Monroe: a) relax the body, b) enter the hypnogogic
state, c) deepen the state, d) develope the senstation of 'vibration',
e) separate from the body. The Monroe Institute has developed some
cassete tapes which are claimed to help in this.
9) Dreamcontrol --This isone ofthe mostimportant tech-
niques. It involves becoming aware that you are dreaming. There are
several ways to do this. Oliver Fox says to look for descrepancies in
the dream to realize you are dreaming. One occult student I know of
visualized a white horse which he could ride wherever he wished to go.
After a time, when the horse appeared in his dreams it was his cue
that he was actually dreaming/projecting. Don Juan tells Castaneda to
look at his hands while he is dreaming. And even the tarot and Cabala
may be used as dream signals.
1364
Another method is to tell yourself each night as you go to sleep, "I
can fly"; then when you do, you will know you are dreaming. Once you
know you are dreaming you can control your dream/OOBE and go anywhere
you want. Repetitive activities will also likely influence your
dreams. For example, if you are on an automobile trip and spend most
of the day driving, you will probably dream about driving. You can
condition yourself to be aware you are dreaming by doing a repetitive
activity many times (walking across
the room or a particular magick ritual, for example). Then when you
dream about it, you will know you are dreaming.
10)Dream expansion--Avariation ondream control.A dream
may be *extended* by imagining it continuing from where it was when
you awaken. Then it is just a simple step to 'astral project' by
directing you 'dream'.
Althoughallthesetechniques
mayappearstraightforward,they
all require effort. Astral projection is generally learned.
The astral worldis the "ghostland"into which onepasses
after death. It is sometimes possible to visit with the dead, or you
might be called upon to reassure and assist those who have just passed
over (died) or those who are consciously projecting for the first
time. Many spirits,
1365
elementals and ghosts exist in the astral world. The magician should
feel comfortable there. Tibetan belief is that through proficiency in
OOBE, you no longer need reincarnate after death. The astral world is
extremely
changeable and subject to your thoughts. Your will can control your
movements in the astral world, and if you seem to be going somewhere
non-volitionally ('astral current') it is probably your true will
causing it anyway. You might also experience heightened magical
ability while in the astral realm.
[This is a popular subject, and there may be other files online about
it. Check the MIND file area for OOBE.ARC. This file includes the
following articles --
MIAS.DOC.
MONROE.DOC.
OBEBOOK.AST
OOBE.THR.
TN.TXT.]
1366
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1) What is the relationship between astral projection and
dreams.
2) What is mental projection?
3) List the ten basic methods of astral projection.
BOOK LIST
H.P. Battersby, Man Outside Himself.
Susan J. Blackmore, Beyond the Body.
J.H. Brennan, Astral Doorways.
Robert Crookall, The Techniques of Astral Projection.
Denning and Phillips, The Llewellyn Practical Guide to Astral
Projection.
Oliver Fox, Astral Projection.
Gavin & Yvonne Frost, Astral Travel.
Celia Green, Out-of-the-body Experiences.
Richard A. Greene, The Handbook of Astral Projection.
Herbert Greenhouse, The Astral Journey.
Jack London, Star Rover (historical occult novel).
Janet Mitchell, Out of Body Experiences.
Robert Monroe, Journeys Out of the Body.
Robert E. Moser, Mental and Astral Projection.
1367
Muldoon and Carrington, The Projection of the Astral Body.
Ophiel, The Art and Practice of Astral Projection.
A.E. Powell, The Astral Body.
D. Scott Rogo, Leaving the Body.
J.M. Shay, Out of the Body Consciousness.
Susy Smith, The Enigma of Out-of-the-body Travel.
Brad Steiger, The Mind Travelers.
Yram, Practical Astral Projection.
========
Phil Hansford, 4/88
Mysteria
(818) 353-8891 (modem)
1368
Copyright (c) 1988 by Phil Hansford. This article is
is licenced for free non-commercial distribution only.
-----------------------------------------------------------
** MAGICK 10 -- CABALA **
Western magick isbased uponthe Cabala,a Jewishmystical
traditon first written down in 12th and 13th century southern France
and Spain. It was oral before that; and it contains the "lost"
knowledge of the ancients, possibly going back to Egypt and before.
The most important Cabalistic
books are SEPHIR YETZIRAH (The Book of Creation), and the ZOHAR (Book
of Splendor). Through Cabalistic philosophy we are able to classify
and "pigeon-hole" all of existence.
The fourworlds are recognizedin theCabala, but theyare
given Hebrew names. Thus -- Assiah, physical; Yetzirah, astral;
Briah, mental; and Atziluth, spiritual; as shown in the chart.
WORLD NAME MEANING ATTRIBUTE
===== ==== ======= =========
spiritual Atziluth Archetypal World pure deity
mental Briah Creative World archangels
1369
astral Yetzirah Formative World angels
physical Assiah Material World action
The divine name of God is TETRAGRAMMATON (or name of four letters)
made from the Hebrew letters YOD HE VAU HE (English YHVH). Of the four
letters, YOD corresponds with Atziluth and the element of fire; the
first HE corresponds with Briah and water. These first two letters
make up a yang-yin pair (respectively). The other two letters also
form a yang-yin
pair (respectively), with the VAU corresponding with Yetzirah and air;
while the second HE corresponds with Assiah and the element of earth.
TheCabalistic partsofthe souluse newnames forthe three
highest vehicles of consciousness. NESHAMAH (Divine Soul) is the
Spiritual body; RUAH (Moral Soul) is the Mental body; and NEFESH
(Animal Soul) is the Astral body.
1370
An importantattributeoftheCabala istheSEFIROTICTREE(or
"Tree of Life", Otz Chieem). The Sefirotic Tree is a diagram of the
universe made up of the ten SEFIROTH (primal numbers or orders of
creation) drawn as circles upon the Tree in a decending pattern from
the highest aspect of God at the top to the most physical aspect of
our world at the bottom. As can be seen in the accompanying diagram,
the sefiroth are connected together with numbered lines, called paths.
/ (1)
/ |
/ |
(3) /----------|--------- (2)
| | |
1371
| | |
| | |
(5)------------|---------/ (4)
| | / |
| | / |
| (6)/ |
| / | |
| / | |
| / | |
(8)/-----------|-------- (7)
| /
| /
| /
((9)/
|
|
(10)
This is my attempt to draw a Sefirotic Tree using ASCII characters.
Several paths are omitted (15, 17, 29, 31). Please refer to a printed
diagram (in most any book on Cabala) for a better illustration.
----------------------------------------------------------
1372
Above theTree is theinfinite void-- the unknowable,un-
manifest God as Divine Light -- the three veils of negative existence:
Ain, Ain Sof, and Ain Sof Aur. The Divine Light (Ain Sof Aur) is made
manifest by the first sefira where it is transformed into positive
existence. Emanations of energy (magical current) flow from the first
sefira (Source) along the paths into other sefiroth which transform
and emanate to lower and lower sefiroth. In Adam Kadman (primal or
ideal man) the sefiroth fit upon the
physical body; note the similarity to the chakras. The process of
creation is one of emanation from the spiritual at the top of the Tree
to the physical world (Sink) at the bottom. All current which is
Sourced into the Tree must also be Sinked (earthed). That is, magical
energy set in motion
by ritual shoud be used up in the physical world whether or not the
ritual was a success.
Sefiroth1, 2,and 3on theTree form theSupernal Triangle
which is beyond normal human experience in the world of Atziluth. The
first sefira, KETHER, is the supreme *crown* of God; it signifies pure
Being, and is the Source. Kether is androgynous. Immediately arising
from Kether are
two further emanations. The second sefira is HOKMAH, the *wisdom* of
God and the masculine force of the universe. Third is BINAH, the
*understanding* or intelligence of God; this is the supernal mother.
1373
Between theSupernals and theother seven sefirothis the
Abyss -- a great gulf which forever separates ideal from actual.
Within the Abyss an 11th sefira, DAATH, the *knowledge* of God is
sometimes placed.
The second triangle, comprised of the 4th,5th, and 6th
sefiroth in the world of Briah, is sometimes called the Mental Tri-
angle. Sefira 4, HESED, the *love* or mercy of God, is male and
positive. The 5th sefira, GEVURAH, the power or *strength* of God
complements Hesed as justice. Sixth is TIFARETH, as the compassion or
*beauty* of God; the heart of the universe.
1374
Thethird orAstralTriangle containssefiroth7, 8,and 9in
Yetzirah. Sefira 7, NETSAH, is the lasting endurance or *victory* of
God. Complementing Netsah is 8, HOD, the majesty or *splendor* of God.
The 9th sefira, YESOD, the *foundation* of the world, is linked with
the moon, hence the tides and the libido. Yesod is experienced as
dream consciousness, and is very important in magick and astral
projection.
Finally,at thephysicalworld ofAssiah isthe10th sefira,
MALKUTH, the *kindgom* of God, and the basis of all material creation.
We experience Malkuth as sense consciousness.
TheSefirotic Treehasthree verticalcolumns or*pillars*.
As you face the tree, the pillar on the right, headed by Hokmah and
ending with Netsah, is called the Pillar of Mercy and has light/mascu-
line (yang) qualities. The pillar on the left, headed by Binah and
ending with Hod, is the Pillar of Severity with dark/feminine (yin)
qualities. The Middle Pillar between them equilibriates the two
opposites, and is the *Shekhinah*, or feminine counterpart of God.
The *klippoth*, or evil demons, generally in Assiah, represent un-
balanced forces or excesses.
1375
Allthe attributesoftheuniverse fitlikepiecesof apuzzle
upon the Sefirotic Tree. Each numbered part is a numeric key to the
various correspondence tables, such as Crowley's '777'. The sefirotic
tree has its parts variously colored and each sefira has a color; in
fact the paths which run between the sefiroth have their own colors
too. There are four major color scales for the sefirotic tree and
each color scale corresponds with one of the four worlds. That means
we are dealing with not just one sefirotic tree, but actually with a
separate tree for each of the four worlds; although it is easier to
think of it as the same tree with a different color scale. The Queen
(Briah) and King (Atziluth) scales are
the most important. There is also the Empress scale (Assiah), and the
Emperor scale (Yetzirah).
1376
TheQueen andKing scalesfor thesefiroth areshown below.
(Note that when 4 colors are listed toghether, the sefira is divided
into quarters and the first color is assigned to the upper quarter,
the 2nd color to the right quarter, the 3rd color to the left quarter,
and the last color to the lower quarter.)
KEY QUEEN SCALE KING SCALE
=== =========== ==========
1 pure white brilliance brilliance
2 gray pure soft blue
3 black crimson
4 blue deep violet
5 scarlet red orange
6 yellow (gold) clear pink rose
7 emerald green amber
8 orange violet purple
9 violet indigo
10 citrine, olive, russet, yellow
and black
The 22 paths connectthe sefiroth together. These paths
correspond with the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, as based upon
the SEFIR YETZIRAH. Due to the nature of the Hebrew alphabet (some
1377
letters can take two forms) SEFIR YETZIRAH divides each of two of the
letters into two (dual) parts. For this reason, it is necessary to
divide each of the two related paths into two (dual) parts. These are
numbered 31, 31b (bisected); 32, 32b. Yet when these paths are drawn
on the sefirotic tree they are usually shown undivided (and numbered
simply 31, and 32). The following
table shows the colors and location of the paths in relation to the
sefiroth. You will want to add the path numbers to the illustration of
the sefirotic tree, or draw a new tree. Some writers may refer to "32
paths", by calling the sefiroth "paths" 1-10.
1378
KEY JOINS SEFIROTH QUEEN SCALE KING SCALE
=== ============== =========== ==========
11 1 - 2 sky blue brt. pale yellow
12 1 - 3 purple yellow
13 1 - 6 silver blue
14 2 - 3 sky blue emerald green
15 2 - 6 red scarlet
16 2 - 4 deep indigo red orange
17 3 - 6 pale mauve orange
18 3 - 5 maroon amber
19 4 - 5 deep purple greenish yellow
20 4 - 6 slate gray yellowish green
21 4 - 7 blue violet
22 5 - 6 blue emerald green
23 5 - 8 sea green deep blue
24 6 - 7 dull brown green blue
25 6 - 9 yellow blue
26 6 - 8 black indigo
27 7 - 8 red scarlet
28 7 - 9 sky blue violet
29 7 - 10 buff, flecked crimson (ultra-
silver-white violet)
30 8 - 9 gold yellow orange
31 8 - 10 vermilion glowing orange-
1379
scarlet
32 9 - 10 black indigo
31b deep purple, white merging
nearly black into gray
32b amber citrine, olive,
russet, black
Thequeenand kingscalesarecomplementary. Alsocomplemen-
tary are the paths and the sefiroth. Traditional use of the queen
scale sefiroth will find the king scale as paths and vice versa. The
use of complementary scales is based upon the idea of balance. A tree
composed of sefiroth in the queen scale and paths in the king scale is
all you need for most magick. Although correspondences are what work
for you, there is said to be an ancient tradition surrounding the
conventional color scales and it may be helpful to lock into the
energy associated with them.
1380
From themagical pointof view,the Treeof Lifeis a mapof
consciousness which is useful for understanding and attaining various
states of consciousness. In cabalistic magick we are concerned with
the linking of higher energy to lower levels on the tree. That very
thing takes place naturally as well, in nature and in life. A subject
in itself is cabalistic meditation (pathwork, or the way of return),
in which we attempt to climb up the tree (ladder of lights) to attain
union with divinity.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1) What is the sefirotic tree?
2) How is the queen scale used in magick?
3) What is a path? How many are there?
1381
BOOK LIST
J. Abelson, Jewish Mysticism
Edward Albertson, Understanding the Kabbalah
Bernard J. Babmerger, Fallen Angels
Richard Cavendish, The Black Arts
______, editorial comments to "Cabala", Man Myth and Magic
Aleister Crowley, The Book of Thoth
______, 777 Revised
Denning and Phillips, The Magical Philosophy
______, Magical States of Consciousness (on pathworking)
A.D. Duncan, The Christ, Psychotherapy and Magic
Dion Fortune, The Mystical Qabalah
Adolphe Frank, The Kabbalah: The Religious Philosophy
of the Hebrews
Perle Epstein, Kabbalah, the Way of the Jewish Mystic
William Gray, The Talking Tree
Stephan A. Hoeller, The Royal Road
Isidor Kalish, Sepher Yezirah: A Book on Creation
Alta J. LaDage, Occult Psychology
Bernhard Pick, The Cabala: Its Influence on Judaism and
Christianity
Charles Ponce, Kabbalah: An Introduction and Illumination
for the World Today
Henry B. Pullen-Burry, Qabalism
1382
Israel Regardie, A Garden of Pomegranets
______, The Golden Dawn
______, The Middle Pillar
Leo Schaya, The Universal Meaning of the Kabbalah
Gershom Scholem, Kabbalah
______, Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism
______, On the Kabbalah and Its Symbolism
______, Zohar: The Book of Splendor
Arthur Edward Waite, The Holy Kabbalah
R.J. Zwi Werblowsky, "Cabala", Man, Myth and Magic
William Wynn Wescott, An Introduction to the Study of
the Kabalah
______, Sepher Yetzirah
========
Phil Hansford, 4/88
MYSTERIA
(818) 353-8891 (modem)
P.O. Box 83
Tujunga, CA 91042
1383
Copyright (c) 1988 by Phil Hansford. This article is
is licenced for free non-commercial distribution only.
----------------------------------------------------------
** MAGICK 11 -- PSYCHIC ENERGY **
We have seen in the theories of magick, that there isa
definite relationship between the 'inner' and 'outer' worlds. We saw
this in the theory of the microcosm and the macrocosm; in the four
worlds; in the theory of correspondences; and also in the Cabala and
Tree of Life. This relationship between inner and outer is very
important. And it means quite simply that success (or lack of it) in
one world (inner or outer) influences success (or lack of it) in the
other. Therefore developing of magical ability is more than meditation
and magical practice, for it
implies mastery of the four worlds. The developed magician is not only
master of the inner worlds; he is also master of himself.
Thisis notto implythat successfulmagicians areall mil-
lionaires (or whatever standard people measure success by), but it
should mean that they are basically pleasant people, at least; no
serious hangups. The developed magician is described as a 'king' in
the Book of the Law. This means simply that he has full control over
1384
all aspects of his physical and inner life. He should be who he wants
to be, doing what he wants to do.
PLANETARY CORRESPONDENCES
The*numbers* in thetables and diagramof the preceeding
lesson on Cabala are the 'key' numbers which we find in various
*correspondence tables* (such as Crowley's '777'). One important set
of correspondences for the planets, is shown below...
KEY PLANET METAL ATTRIBUTE
=== ====== ===== =========
3 Saturn lead home
4 Jupiter tin luck, wealth
5 Mars iron anger, war-like
6 Sun gold vitality
7 Venus copper love
8 Mercury mercury knowledge
9 Moon silver emotions, travel
1385
Notice that we have included the metal which is associated with the
planet, as well as common attributes of each planet. The theory of
Cabalistic magick is to select the appropriate planet for the desired
result. The attribute column will assist in that selection. Once a
particular planet is determined, an entity is selected from the
correspondence tables by matching the key number. A set of correspon-
dence tables may be available on this board as a separate file (777.A-
RC). Additionally, a list of selected deities from several popular
pantheons and with a brief description about them may be available on
this board as GODS.LST.
AlthoughHebrewMysticismistheoriginalsourceofCabalistic
ideas, it is mostly unconcerned with the magical implications of those
ideas. How can a religious philosophy which is monotheistic lend
credibility to a polytheistic approach? Various deities are understood
as *aspects* or *qualities* of the Supreme God. This is not a con-
tradiction, merely a restatement of the microcosm-macrocosm idea once
again. The Sefirotic Tree, in its representation of the universe is
the Macrocosm. While it could be said that any single sefiroth has its
own separate qualities, it remains, nonetheless, a part of the whole
tree, and
a part of the macrocosm. As a result, virtually any pantheon or belief
system is compatible with the Cabala.
1386
WILLPOWER AND MAGICK
Western magick has traditionallyplaced a great deal of
emphasis upon the use of willpower as a means of development and
self-mastery. But this may not be the best method in the long run.
Isaac Bonewitz describes how the subconscious will sometimes rebel
against willpower with 'spectacular results'. It is far better to run
one's life democratically.
HawaiianKahunamagick describesthe'threeselves', ie.the
lower self (or subconscious), the middle self (or normal conscious-
ness), and the high self (spirit or Holy Guardian Angel). Enlighten-
ment in the Hawaiian system consists of unification of the three
selves. They become 'buddies'. Enlightenment does not come from great
change. It comes from great acceptance. Continual effort at becoming
better takes you nowhere. For becoming it is not being it. The
unification is achieved by first developing communication with the
subconscious and later with the high self also. Simple exercises with
a pendulum, automatic writing, raised finger responses, self hypnosis,
recording and analysis of dreams etc. facilitate communication with
the subconscious. At first communication with the high self must be
via the subconscious, but later it is possible to go direct to it.
1387
PSYCHIC ENERGY
Manyoccult groupsfollowan energymodel formagickand the
physical body. This model (or theory) equates psychic energy with
kundalini/prana/sexual or life force energy. The ideal of kundalini
yoga is thus to raise the kundalini to the higher chakras (especially
ajna and
sahasrara) thereby enhancing psychic/magick powers. The release of
psychic energy is also relevant to mental control, good health and
longevity, and the attainment of 'cosmic consciousness'. Meditation
and yoga is used to
liberate psychic energy so that it can be used for magical purposes.
But there are other ways to liberate psychic energy. Many of these
techniques will act as a mental catharsis in the sense of invigorating
the psyche and
resulting in improved intellectual and physical performance.
1) Psychotherapyof certain types whichreleases pent up
psychological energy.
2)Overcoming mindgames,hangups, andinhibitions. Thisis
the basis of all listed practices, as hangups waste psychic energy.
Certain psychotropic drugs may have this affect. Also the 'kicks' from
'risks' like skydiving.
1388
3) Vigorousdance and physicalexercise --to the pointof
'second wind'.
4) 'Desirelessness' and various religious practices.
5) The way of return, and various other mystical practices.
6)Atavistic resurgence.Thislast itemdeserves someextra
mention. It was one of Austin Spare's methods. It means to contact
the primitive emotions deep within the psyche. In a sense it is
regressive. However, there is power there, if you are able to control
it.
1389
Wehave seenhowmagical theoryis baseduponthe assumption
that psychic phenomena is real. If this is so, then magick is also
real. And we have also seen how magick is the art and science of
causing change in accordance with the will by non-physical means.
Magical philosophy is the
working system of terms, theories, and symbols upon which magick is
based. But magick goes further than that, for as an ancient system of
psychology, magick may be used as is a means of self improvement and
spiritual growth. For magick and mysticism are parallel paths, each
ultimately leading to transcendence.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1) What do we mean by the relationship between the inner
and outer worlds?
2) What is wrong with willpower?
3) Explain the energy model of magick.
1390
BOOK LIST
P.E.I. Bonewitz, Hawaiian Magic (tape).
Pete Carrol, Liber Null.
------, Psychonaut.
John Heriot, Teaching Yourself White Magic.
Allan P. Lewis, Clearing Your Lifepath.
Max Freedom Long, The Secret Science Behind Miracles.
------, The Secret Science At Work.
Stephen Mace, Stealing the Fire from Heaven.
Julian Wilde, Grimoire of Chaos Magick.
========
Phil Hansford, 4/88
Mysteria
(818) 353-8891 (modem)
P.O. Box 83
Tujunga, CA 91042
1391